Canadian latte artist goes viral with coffee portraits of celebrities (includes video story)

Brian Leonard, or Barista Brian, is taking lattes to the next level. He is a Canadian artist who gathered lots of attention through social media because of his latte art creations. He has been known as Toronto’s best latte artist since 2015 and has now become the barista to the stars. 

Famous names like Tilda Swinton, Seth Rogan and Hillary Clinton are just a few stars that have received a special latte creation from Barista Brian. His latte art has also been featured at international film festivals, celebrity galas, major award shows and music festivals. Even Meryl Streep was blown away by his latte art creations.

“Meryl Streep called me a genius and it’ll be on my tombstone probably,” said Leonard. 

He uses a bamboo stir stick to apply food coloring to the foam on a latte. Leonard can make latte art in just two to four minutes. He paints everything from the Mona Lisa to Tom Hanks on his lattes. His signature line for those who appreciate his work is “thanks a latte.”

Katherine Miranda is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism with a music business certificate and dance minor. After graduation she hopes to land a job at a radio station as an art and entertainment journalist.